By Soraya Kassim, Palms Executive Director
Christmas is just around the corner and everything seems to speed up, as we all attempt to squeeze two months into one…. before we are finally rewarded with January, when we get to take stock and set intentions and priorities for the year ahead.
As I reflect on the world, my hope is for Balance as we all attempt to reconcile the pressures of the immediate: our near family, our latest bills, our personal aspirations for our physical ‘home’ ….with the deeper connections beyond ourselves: the natural environment, war zones and disasters far afield, communities abroad with which we have a special connection, and our relationship with the mystery of Life and our unbreakable connection with God.
The world as it is becoming, seems increasingly to prioritise the immediate over the deeper connection. Palms, as an organization rooted in values of solidarity and love, has always prioritized searching and nurturing beyond the immediate. Against all odds, we are committed to holding that space.
And so, as I wish you all a blessed Christmas and a restorative holiday period, I also wish for us all the space to rebalance, and to reflect on how, in our own lives, we deepen enduring connections beyond the immediate and support the same in those we love. It may mean referring a niece or nephew to our Gap Year opportunities, or considering what it might take to go on placement oneself, or simply to commit to a daily routine that eschews distraction and promotes growth. It’s a choice.
Wishing you all space and joy.